UN General Assembly Resolutions:
Resolution 57/127

(December 11, 2002)

Recalling its relevant resolutions, including those adopted
at its tenth emergency special session, and the resolutions of the Commission
on Human Rights,

Bearing in mind the relevant resolutions of the Security Council,

Having considered the reports of the Special Committee to Investigate
Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People
and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories1 and the reports
of the Secretary-General,2

Taking note of the report of the Human Rights Inquiry Commission
established by the Commission on Human Rights3 and the report
of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian
territories occupied by Israel since 1967,4

Aware of the responsibility of the international community to
promote human rights and ensure respect for international law,

Reaffirming the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition
of territory by force,

Reaffirming also the applicability of the Geneva Convention
relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12
August 1949,5 to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including
East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since
1967,

Reaffirming further the obligation of the States parties to
the Fourth Geneva Convention5 under articles 146, 147 and
148 with regard to penal sanctions, grave breaches and responsibilities
of the High Contracting Parties,

Stressing the need for full compliance with the Israeli-Palestinian
agreements reached within the context of the Middle East peace process,

Concerned about the continuing systematic violation of the human
rights of the Palestinian people by Israel, the occupying Power, including
the use of collective punishment, reoccupation and closure of areas,
confiscation of land, establishment and expansion of settlements, destruction
of property and all other actions by it designed to change the legal
status, geographical nature and demographic composition of the Occupied
Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,

Gravely concerned by the tragic events that have occurred since
28 September 2000 and that have led to thousands of deaths and injuries,
mostly among Palestinian civilians,

Expressing deep concern about the destruction caused by the
Israeli occupying forces, including the destruction of homes and properties,
of religious, cultural and historical sites, of vital infrastructure
and institutions of the Palestinian Authority, and of agricultural land
throughout Palestinian cities, towns, villages and refugee camps,

Also expressing deep concern about the Israeli policy of closure
and the severe restrictions, including curfews, imposed on the movement
of persons and goods, including medical and humanitarian personnel and
goods, throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East
Jerusalem, and the consequent impact on the socio-economic situation
of the Palestinian people, which has resulted in a dire humanitarian
crisis,

Expressing concern that thousands of Palestinians continue to
be held in Israeli prisons or detention centres, and also expressing
concern about their ill-treatment and harassment and reports of torture,

Convinced of the need for an international presence to monitor
the situation, to contribute to ending the violence and protecting Palestinian
civilians and to help the parties to implement agreements reached, and,
in this regard, recalling the positive contribution of the Temporary
International Presence in Hebron,

Stressing the necessity for the full implementation of all relevant
Security Council resolutions,

1. Determines that all measures and actions taken by Israel,
the occupying Power, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including
East Jerusalem, in violation of the relevant provisions of the Geneva
Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of
War, of 12 August 1949,5 and contrary to the relevant resolutions
of the Security Council, are illegal and have no validity;

2. Demands that Israel, the occupying Power, comply fully with
the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 19495 and
cease immediately all measures and actions taken in violation of the
Convention, including extrajudiciary executions;

3. Condemns all acts of violence, including all acts of terror,
provocation, incitement and destruction, especially the excessive use
of force by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians, resulting
in extensive loss of life, vast numbers of injuries and massive destruction;

4. Also condemns the recent events that have occurred in the
Jenin refugee camp, including the loss of life, injury, destruction
and displacement inflicted on many of its civilian inhabitants;

5. Demands that Israel, the occupying Power, cease all practices
and actions that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people;

6. Stresses the need to preserve the territorial integrity of
all the Occupied Palestinian Territory and to guarantee the freedom
of movement of persons and goods within the Palestinian territory, including
the removal of restrictions on movement into and from East Jerusalem,
and the freedom of movement to and from the outside world;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
at its fifty-eighth session on the implementation of the present resolution.